Skull mount

ABSTRACT

An adjustable mounting bracket for mounting a skull of an animal onto a wall. The mounting bracket is adjustable so that the angle of the skull can be changed, so that the skull can be rotated from side to side, and so that the stinger that secures the skull to the mounting bracket can be lifted off of the base of the mounting bracket without removing the base from the wall. Each side of the stinger has a pointed stabilizer for engaging the skull to hold it firmly to the stinger. The base can be made in a variety of shapes and designs. One design has a base with an opening therein that forms a picture frame. Adjustment of the mounting bracket does not require any tools. The stinger is removable from the base to facilitate marketing, packaging and distribution and to make it easier to attach a skull.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 14/658,336 for Skull Mount filed on Mar. 16, 2015, which in turnclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/124,869 for Skull Mount filed on Jan. 5, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is an adjustable mounting bracket for mounting askull of an animal onto a wall or other flat surface. The mountingbracket is adjustable so that the angle at which the skull is held canbe changed, so that the mounted skull of the animal can be rotated fromside to side, and so that the stinger to which the skull is secured canbe lifted off of the base of the mounting bracket without removing thebase from the wall to which it is secured. The base is provided with acut out area that forms a frame behind which can be secured a photo ofthe person harvesting the animal whose skull is to be secured thereto,i.e. the harvest image, or which can be used to provide informationabout the harvest, such as date, time, and location of harvest.Additionally, the stinger is provided with a pair of stabilizers thatinsert into the skull to help lock it in place on the stinger to preventrotation of the skull on the stinger.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently when a hunter or other sportsman wishes to mount a trophy headof an animal such as a deer skull or skull of a wild boar, the skullgenerally must be mounted to a solid block of wood or other secure basethat can then be attached to a wall.

These current types of mountings have several limitations. First,because the skull is permanently attached to the base that attaches tothe wall, the skull cannot be removed from the wall without removing thebase also.

Second, because the skull is permanently attached to the base, the angleof the skull cannot be altered to display the skull more attractively.

Third, also because the skull is permanently attached to the base, theskull cannot be rotated relative to the base to display the skull moreattractively.

The present invention addresses all of these problems by providing askull mount that includes a stinger for attachment to the skull that canbe easily removed from the wall mounted base. The angle of the stingeris adjustable and the stinger can be rotated left and right on the baseso that the skull can be positioned in the most advantageous arrangementafter the base is mounted to the wall.

Additionally, the present invention includes a cut out area that forms aframe behind which can be secured a photo of the person harvesting theanimal whose skull is to be secured thereto, i.e. the harvest image, orwhich can be used to provide information about the harvest, such asdate, time, and location of harvest. Also, the stinger is provided witha pair of stabilizers that insert into the skull to help lock it inplace on the stinger to prevent rotation of the skull on the stinger.All of the features and functions of the stinger are achieved by formingone piece of material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an adjustable skull mounting bracket formounting a skull of an animal onto a wall or other flat surface. Theskull mounting bracket is provided with a vertical flat base that can besecured to a wall with fasteners. The base is provided with attachmentopenings through which fasteners can be inserted to secure the base to awall.

The flat base has a horizontal arm that extends outward from the baseand to which is attached a vertical threaded stud. A stinger bracket isrotatably attached to the threaded stud via a stud opening provided in aproximal end of the stinger bracket so that the stringer bracket extendsoutward from the base. Washers are provided on the threaded stud oneither side of the stinger bracket to allow for free rotation of thestinger bracket, and a nut is provided attached to the threaded studbelow the lower washer to hold the stinger bracket and the washers onthe threaded stud.

A distal end of the stinger bracket is angled downward and is providedwith an inverted v-shaped opening there through for removably receivinga proximal end of an inverted v-shaped stinger.

A threaded knob is also provided rotatably secured on the threaded studbelow the nut that secures the stinger bracket. An indented area isprovided in the knob so as to allow a groove located in a proximal endof the stinger to removably engage and rest upon the knob's indentedarea. Rotation of the knob serves to change the angle of the stingerrelative to the base.

An animal skull can be attached to the distal end of the stinger so asto display the skull. An opening is provided in the distal end of thestinger to facilitate attachment of a skull to the stinger.

Gravity holds the stinger is held in place within the inverted v-shapedopening of the stinger bracket and resting on the indented area of theknob. Thus, the stinger can easily be lifted off of the knob and pulledthrough the inverted v-shaped opening of the stringer bracket to removethe stinger from the rest of the skull mounting bracket.

The base is provided with a cut out area that forms a frame behind whichcan be secured a photo of the person harvesting the animal whose skullis to be secured thereto, i.e. the harvest image, or which can be usedto provide information about the harvest, such as date, time, andlocation of harvest. Additionally, the stinger is provided with a pairof stabilizers that insert into the skull to help lock it in place onthe stinger to prevent rotation of the skull on the stinger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a skull mount constructed in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and showing inoutline and animal skull attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged and exploded side view of the skull mount of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear view of the base of the skull mount of FIG. 2with the attached threaded stud.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and flattened out front view of a first alternatebase before it is bent and before a threaded stud is attached.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the first alternate base of FIG. 4 shown bentinto its final configuration and with a threaded stud attached parallelto the flat portion of the base.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the first alternate base of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the first alternate base of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first alternate base of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged rear view of a second alternate base.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged and flattened out top plan view of the stingerbracket of FIG. 2 before it is bent into its final shape.

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the stinger bracket of FIG. 10 after ithas been bent into its final shape.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the stinger bracket of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the stinger bracket of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged side view of the knurled knob of FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged and flattened out top plan view of the stinger ofFIG. 2 before it is bent into its final shape.

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the stinger of FIG. 15 after it hasbeen bent into its final shape.

FIG. 17 is an end view of the stinger of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the stinger of FIG. 17 taken along line 18-18

FIG. 19 is a side view of the skull mount of FIG. 2 shown with the knobtightened to increase the angle between the stinger and the flattenedportion of the base.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the skull mount of FIG. 19 shown with the knobloosened to decrease the angle between the stinger and the flattenedportion of the base.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the skull mount of FIG. 2 with the stingerremoved for clarity.

FIG. 22 is a side view of the skull mount of FIG. 21 shown with thestinger bracket rotated.

FIG. 23 is front perspective view of an alternate embodiment skull mountthat includes a third alternate base having a cut out portion that formsa picture frame and includes an alternate stinger that is provided witha pair of stabilizers on the sides of the alternate stinger.

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment skullmount of FIG. 23 shown with a harvest image secured within the cut outframe of the third alternate base.

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the alternate stinger of FIGS. 23and 24 shown removed from the third alternate base and shown with askull attached to the alternate stinger.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view of the alternate embodiment skullmount of FIG. 24 shown with a skull attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, there isillustrated an adjustable skull mount 10 that is constructed inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.Adjustment of the mounting bracket does not require any tools. The skullmount 10 is an adjustable mounting bracket for mounting a skull 12 of ananimal onto a wall or other flat surface. The skull mount 10 of FIG. 1is shown with an animal skull 12 attached thereto.

Referring also to FIG. 3, the skull mount 10 is provided with a base 14that has a flat portion 16 that can be secured to a wall or other flatsurface with screws or other suitable fasteners 18. The base 14 isprovided with attachment openings 20 through which the fasteners 18 canbe inserted to secure the base 14 to a wall.

The base 14 may be made in various styles. Three such styles areillustrated. The preferred base 14 is illustrated in FIG. 3 and is inthe shape of a skull. A first alternate base 14′ is illustrated in FIGS.4-8 and is in the shape of an arrow. A third alternate base 14″ isillustrated in FIG. 9 and is in the shape of a bullet. The invention isnot limited to these base designs, but these three designs are providedonly as an illustration of the variety of base designs that may beemployed with the invention.

It should be noted that the only difference between the base 14 of thepreferred embodiment, the first alternate base 14′, and the secondalternate base 14″ is the shape and design of the flat portion 16 ofeach. In all other respects the bases 14, 14′, and 14″ are equivalents.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-8, the first alternate base 14′ will bedescribed in more detail. The first alternate base 14′ has an upperhorizontal arm 22 that extends outward from the vertical flat portion 16of the first alternate base 14′ and to which is attached a verticaloriented threaded stud 24. The threaded stud 24 is approximatelyparallel with the flat portion 16 of the first alternate base 14′.

Referring now again to FIG. 2, a stinger bracket 26 is rotatablyattached to the threaded stud 24 via a stud opening 28 provided in aproximal end 30 of the stinger bracket 26 so that the stringer bracket26 extends outward from the base 14, 14′ or 14″. Upper and lower washers32U and 32L are provided on the threaded stud 24 above the stingerbracket 26 and below the stinger bracket 26, respectively, to allow forfree rotation of the stinger bracket 26 relative to the base 14, 14′ or14″. A nut 34 is provided attached to the threaded stud 24 below thelower washer 32L to hold the stinger bracket 26 and the washers 32U and32L on the threaded stud 24.

As shown in FIGS. 10-13, a distal end 36 of the stinger bracket 26 isangled downward and is provided with an inverted v-shaped opening 38extending there through. The inverted v-shaped opening 38 is forremovably receiving a proximal end 40 of an inverted v-shaped stinger42, as will be more fully described hereafter.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 14-18, a knob 44 is provided rotatably securedon the threaded stud 24 below the nut 34 that secures the stingerbracket 26. An indented area 46 is provided in the knob 44 so as toallow a groove 48 located in the proximal end 40 of the stinger 42 toremovably engage and rest upon the knob's indented area 46.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20, rotation of the knob 44 serves tochange the angle Q of the stinger 42 relative to the flat portion 16 ofthe base 14, 14′ or 14″.

Also referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, because the stinger bracket 26 isrotatably attached to the threaded stud 24, this allows the stinger 42and attached skull 12 to be rotated relative to the base 14, 14′ or 14″.

An animal skull 12 can be attached to an opposite distal end 50 of thestinger 42 so as to display the skull 12. A skull attachment opening 52is provided in the distal end 50 of the stinger 42 to facilitateattachment of a skull 12 to the stinger 42.

Gravity holds the stinger 42 is in place within the inverted v-shapedopening 38 of the stinger bracket 26 and resting on the indented area 46of the knob 44. Thus, the stinger 42 can easily be lifted off of theknob 44 and pulled through the inverted v-shaped opening 38 of thestringer bracket 26 to remove the stinger 42 and attached skull 12 fromthe rest of the skull mount 10. The stinger is removable whichfacilitates marketing, packaging and distribution requirements inaddition to making it easier to attach a skull to it.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-26, an alternate embodiment skull mount 10A isshown. The alternate embodiment skull mount 10A differs from the skullmount 10 in only two features. First, the alternate embodiment skullmount 10A includes a third alternate base 14A that is provided with acut out area or portion 15 that forms a frame behind which can besecured a photo of the person harvesting the animal whose skull is to besecured thereto, i.e. the harvest image 17, or which can be used todisplay information about the harvest, such as date, time, and locationof harvest.

Second, the alternate embodiment skull mount 10A includes an alternatestinger 42A that is provided each of its sides with a stabilizer 43.These stabilizers 43 insert into the skull 12 to help lock it in placeon the alternate stinger 42A to prevent rotation of the skull 12 on thealternate stinger 42A.

While the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understoodthat the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth hereinfor the purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by thescope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range ofequivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A skull mount for mounting an animal skull on awall comprising: a base that can be secured to a surface, a threadedstud attached to the base, a stinger bracket rotatably attached to thethreaded stud so that an attached stinger rotates with the rotation ofthe stinger bracket, the stinger bracket provided with an openingextending there through, a first end of the stinger removably insertablethrough the opening of the stinger bracket, said stinger provided with astabilizer on each side of the stinger, a knob rotatably secured on thethreaded stud below the stinger bracket, and the first end of thestinger removably engageable with the knob so that the stinger reststhereon.
 2. A skull mount according to claim 1 further comprising: anarm provided on the base at approximately a right angle, said threadedstud attached to the arm so that the threaded stud is approximatelyparallel with the base.
 3. A skull mount according to claim 1 furthercomprising: said stinger bracket being angled.
 4. A skull mountaccording to claim 1 further comprising: washers provided on thethreaded stud above and below the stinger bracket.
 5. A skull mountaccording to claim 4 further comprising: a nut securing the stingerbracket and washers to the threaded stud.
 6. A skull mount according toclaim 1 further comprising: said base provided with a flat portion thatis securable to a wall.
 7. A skull mount according to claim 6 furthercomprising: said base provided with attachment openings and fastenersfor inserting though the attachment openings to secure the base to asurface.
 8. A skull mount according to claim 1 further comprising: saidopening in the stinger bracket being an inverted v-shaped opening, andsaid stinger having a cross sectional shape that is an inverted v-shape.9. A skull mount according to claim 1 further comprising: an indentedarea provided on said knob as a point of engagement with the stingersuch that the stinger rests upon the indented area of the knob, androtation of the knob effectively changes the angle of the stinger.
 10. Askull mount according to claim 9 further comprising: a groove in theproximal end of the stinger removably engageable with the indented areaof the knob so that the stinger rests thereon.
 11. A skull mountaccording to claim 1 further comprising: means for securing an animalskull to a free end of the stinger.
 12. A skull mount according to claim1 wherein the base is formed into a decorative shape and design.
 13. Askull mount according to claim 1 further comprising: said base providedwith a cut out portion forming a frame for a photograph or harvestinformation.
 14. A skull mount for mounting an animal skull on a wallcomprising: a base that can be secured to a surface, said base providedwith a cut out portion forming a frame for a photograph or harvestinformation, a threaded stud attached to the base, a stinger bracketrotatably attached to the threaded stud so that an attached stingerrotates with the rotation of the stinger bracket, the stinger bracketprovided with an opening extending there through, a first end of thestinger removably insertable through the opening of the stinger bracket,a knob rotatably secured on the threaded stud below the stinger bracket,and the first end of the stinger removably engageable with the knob sothat the stinger rests thereon.
 15. A skull mount according to claim 14further comprising: an arm provided on the base at approximately a rightangle, said threaded stud attached to the arm so that the threaded studis approximately parallel with the base.
 16. A skull mount according toclaim 14 further comprising: said stinger bracket being angled.
 17. Askull mount according to claim 14 further comprising: washers providedon the threaded stud above and below the stinger bracket.
 18. A skullmount according to claim 17 further comprising: a nut securing thestinger bracket and washers to the threaded stud.
 19. A skull mountaccording to claim 14 further comprising: said base provided with a flatportion that is securable to a wall.
 20. A skull mount according toclaim 19 further comprising: said base provided with attachment openingsand fasteners for inserting though the attachment openings to secure thebase to a surface.
 21. A skull mount according to claim 14 furthercomprising: said opening in the stinger bracket being an invertedv-shaped opening, and said stinger having a cross sectional shape thatis an inverted v-shape.
 22. A skull mount according to claim 14 furthercomprising: an indented area provided on said knob as a point ofengagement with the stinger such that the stinger rests upon theindented area of the knob, and rotation of the knob effectively changesthe angle of the stinger.
 23. A skull mount according to claim 22further comprising: a groove in the proximal end of the stingerremovably engageable with the indented area of the knob so that thestinger rests thereon.
 24. A skull mount according to claim 14 furthercomprising: means for securing an animal skull to a free end of thestinger.
 25. A skull mount according to claim 14 wherein the base isformed into a decorative shape and design.